University at Albany quarterback, Vincent Testaverde, son of famed NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, walks to an interview session following practice at Casey Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union) less

University at Albany quarterback, Vincent Testaverde, son of famed NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, walks to an interview session following practice at Casey Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2017, in ... more

University at Albany quarterback, Vincent Testaverde, son of famed NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, walks to an interview session following practice at Casey Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union) less

University at Albany quarterback, Vincent Testaverde, son of famed NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, walks to an interview session following practice at Casey Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2017, in ... more

University at Albany quarterback, Vincent Testaverde, son of famed NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, reacts to UAlbany football coach Greg Gattuso following practice at Casey Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Oct. ... more

University at Albany quarterback, Vincent Testaverde, son of famed NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, is interviewed following practice at Casey Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union) less

University at Albany quarterback, Vincent Testaverde, son of famed NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, is interviewed following practice at Casey Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. ... more

University at Albany quarterback, Vincent Testaverde, son of famed NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, is interviewed following practice at Casey Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union) less

University at Albany quarterback, Vincent Testaverde, son of famed NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, is interviewed following practice at Casey Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. ... more

Vincent Testaverde Jr. has been playing scout-team quarterback for the University at Albany since arriving in early September. He signed on sight-unseen, trusting his famous father's quick connection would help find a better fit in 2018, after stops at two high-profile FBS programs didn't pan out.

He's unable to play this year because of NCAA transfer rules, though the Great Danes staff made the son of former Heisman Trophy winner and two-time Jet Vinny Testaverde available to the media for the only time Thursday.

The Danes are in the middle of a bye week, which left a reasonable opening to shine the light on perhaps the program's greatest roster curiosity. Like all the other quarterbacks, he wears a green jersey to signify that No. 17 is off-limits for contact. Testaverde said he's focused on remembering everyone's name and still loves being around the sport for the camaraderie and relationships, not just to revel in his dad's playing-days glory.

"(Teammates) respect me for myself," Testaverde said. "And I think they understand that. They try not to ask too many questions about my dad."

He'll have only one year of eligibility remaining next fall — because this is his second transfer — with a very uphill shot. Will Brunson is a redshirt sophomore and Neven Sussman is a junior, a tandem that has extensive in-game UAlbany experience.

Testaverde spent the past two seasons with the University of Miami, where his father won the Heisman Trophy in 1986, but didn't play there as a walk-on. He wore his father's otherwise-retired No. 14 jersey.

But he clearly wasn't going to be a depth-chart factor under second-year coach Mark Richt, whom Vinny Testaverde helped the Hurricanes to hire. Vincent left Aug. 24.

Vincent's UM stint came after he started his college career as a walk-on at traditionally pass-happy Texas Tech.

"It's been a long journey," he said twice in about 10 minutes with a gaggle of local media, later adding, "There's not really any pressure anymore. I'm my own self, own player. I mean, I would like to be like him. But I'm just going to be myself and do what I do best."

As a freshman in 2014, he played one game, against Texas, because of Red Raiders injury woes. Testaverde entered the Nov. 1 home game in the second quarter. He threw for 116 yards, no touchdowns and one interception (completing 15 of 26 passes). Tech lost, 34-13.

"He showed me a lot of poise," his father told the Times Union on Thursday night, proudly noting that a fan (a sports psychologist) on the flight back home told him the same thing.

The elder Testaverde, who was raised on Long Island, ranks 11th on the NFL's career passing list with 46,233 yards. He played for seven NFL teams between 1987-2007, including the Jets from 1998-2003 and again in 2005.

Vincent was recruited to UAlbany in large part because of Testaverde knowing Danes defensive coach Bernard Clark. The pair were Hurricanes teammates. The younger Testaverde said he didn't know Clark before being recruited.

He quit basketball before his junior year of high school to make the switch. He became Tampa Jesuit's starter eight games into the season. As a senior, he threw for 1,015 yards and nine touchdowns.

Vinny Testaverde, who was the quarterbacks coach at Jesuit even before his son's arrival, said he was proud of his son's toughness. He had an appendectomy, returning two weeks later for a state playoff game, even producing a game-winning touchdown pass.

UAlbany coach Greg Gattuso said he's spoken briefly by phone with the former NFL quarterback, noting that the son has the right makeup of playing ability and classroom acumen to be on the team.

All sides are aware that a name will only get the player so far, even in Albany.

"He knows he has to fight to earn it," Gattuso said. "If he's the guy, he'll be the guy."

Gattuso sees him as a drop-back passer. The UAlbany coach — who played at 1980s Miami rival Penn State — quipped that Vincent is "more mobile and better looking" than his father.

Next fall, expect often to see Dad, and perhaps his mother and two sisters (Vincent is the middle child).

"Probably all of the home games," said Vinny Testaverde, who still has family on Long Island. "Just to be able to go visit with him. But it wouldn't really be football-related so much. I don't know anything about the team ... I wouldn't even want to get into that."

And, just to clarify: The son is either Vincent or Vince, and not another Vinny.

"He's like any college kid," the elder Testaverde said. "Finding his own way."